Background: Introduction of telehealth for gynaecological oncology consultations aims to improve access to specialised care for rural and remote Queensland women with gynaecological malignancies.
Aims: This survey examines patient satisfaction with gynaecological oncology consultations via telehealth after introduction of the service in Far North Queensland in 2017.
Materials and methods: Patients who accessed the gynaecological oncology telehealth service at Cairns Hospital from January 2019 to June 2020 were invited to participate in the study. Demographic details and results of a satisfaction survey were investigated. The questionnaire included 16 statements measured on a five-point Likert scale and three open-ended questions, which were coded into related responses and predominant themes developed.
Results: Fifty-three patients completed the study. The mean satisfaction score across all questions was 90.5% (standard deviation 8.7%). The lowest overall patient score was 77.5% and the highest was 100%. Themes emerging from the open questions were emotions experienced by women, communication, relationship building and acceptability of the service.
Conclusions: Patients were highly satisfied with the telehealth service. Our findings encourage further development and research into telehealth care models for surgical disciplines such as gynaecological oncology.
Keywords: gynae-oncology; gynaecological oncology; telehealth; telemedicine; video consultation.
© 2021 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.